Securing Property

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for securing property are presented. Video content viewed by a user may be detected, and the user may be automatically prompted to change settings on a security system based on the detecting. A comparison of the current time with the duration of the video content may serve as the basis for such prompting. Additionally, a premise security system may be placed in a learning mode. Changes in position of a security sensor may be detected and used to set a permitted range of motion for the sensor. Further, a plurality of security sensor profiles may be stored, and each profile may identify a different predefined permitted range of motion of a sensor. The addition of a new sensor to a premise may be detected, and a user may be prompted, on a display, to identify a profile to be used for the new sensor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/478,358, filed Apr. 4, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/584,535, filed Dec. 29, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,646,488, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/882,547, filed Sep. 15, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,955,022, which areincorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to securing property, such asreal property and personal property.

Electronic security systems are a popular way of securing and monitoringproperty. Indeed, more and more homes, businesses, and other structureshave security systems. Current security systems often include simplekeypads and small displays, which some users may find inconvenient ordifficult to use. In addition, such systems may include simple sensorsthat are susceptible to producing false alarms. As technology advances,however, users will come to expect more convenient, well-featured, andeasy to use security systems like those described below.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. The summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure. It is neither intended to identifykey or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope ofthe disclosure. The following summary merely presents some concepts ofthe disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the descriptionbelow.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to securing property. For example, byusing one or more aspects of the disclosure, a security system user,such as a caretaker, business owner, or homeowner, may be able to usetheir television or another display to add, configure, arm, and monitorsecurity sensors attached to their property. In one arrangement, thesecurity system may automatically prompt the user, via their television,to arm or change other settings of their security sensors based on videocontent being viewed by the user. For instance, if the user startswatching a long movie at night, the security system may ask the user,via their television, whether they would like to arm their securitysensors for the night. In another arrangement, the security system mayallow the user to configure security sensors using their television, andthe security system may be able to learn acceptable ranges of motion forthe security sensors. For instance, the security system may learn to nottrigger an alarm when a window rattles in its frame from the wind.

Thus, according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, video contentviewed by a user may be detected, and the user may be automaticallyprompted to change settings of a security system in response to suchdetecting. In at least one arrangement, a current time may be comparedwith a duration of the video content prior to the prompting, and basedon this comparison, it may be determined to display the prompt.Additionally or alternatively, a current volume level may be comparedwith a predetermined threshold volume level prior to the prompting, andbased on this comparison, it may be determined to display the prompt. Inat least one additional arrangement, a content rating level of the videocontent may be compared with a predetermined threshold rating levelprior to the prompting, and based on this comparison, it may bedetermined to display the prompt. In one or more additionalarrangements, the security system automatically may be armed in responseto detecting the user's video content viewing. Additionally oralternatively, the user may be automatically prompted to adjust lightingconditions in response to detecting the video content.

According to one or more additional aspects of the disclosure, changesin position of a sensor may be detected during a learning mode. Then,the detected changes in position of the sensor may be set to be apermitted range of motion for the sensor. Subsequently, positionalinformation associated with the sensor may be monitored to determine ifthe sensor has exceeded the permitted range of motion. In at least onearrangement, the security sensor may include one or more accelerometersand/or magnetometers. In at least one additional arrangement, an amountof vibration of the sensor may be detected during the learning mode, thedetected amount of vibration may be set to be a permitted amount ofvibration for the sensor, and, vibration information associated with thesensor may be monitored to determine if the sensor has exceeded thepermitted amount of vibration. Additionally or alternatively, a remotemonitoring entity may be alerted if it is determined that the sensor hasexceeded the permitted range of motion and/or the permitted amount ofvibration.

According to one or more additional aspects of the disclosure, aplurality of security sensor profiles may be stored, and each sensorprofile may identify a predefined permitted range of motion of a sensor.Then, an addition of a new sensor may be detected, and a user may beprompted, on a display, to identify a sensor profile to be used for thenew sensor. In at least one arrangement, positional informationassociated with the new sensor may be monitored to determine if thesensor has exceeded the predefined permitted range of motion associatedwith the identified sensor profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitedin the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example operating environment in which a premiseand/or one or more properties may be secured according to one or moreaspects described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example security system that may be used insecuring a premise and/or one or more properties according to one ormore aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example network environment to which a securitysystem may be communicatively coupled according to one or more aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method according to one or more aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sample user interface according to one or moreaspects described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates another sample user interface according to one ormore aspects described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for configuring and monitoring a securitysensor according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIGS. 8-11 illustrate example user interface screens according to one ormore aspects described herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example illustration of a range of motionaccording to one or more aspects described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various illustrative embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, variousembodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structuraland functional modifications may be made, without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example operating environment in which a premise150, such as user residence, business, recreational facility, etc.(referred to herein as a user residence or premise in a non-limitingmanner), and/or one or more properties, such as television 165, may besecured according to one or more aspects described herein. For example,user residence 150 may include a door 155 and a plurality of windows160. The door 155 may be secured by an associated security sensor 205.In addition, the plurality of windows 160 each also may be secured byassociated security sensors. The security sensor 205 may becommunicatively coupled to an alarm panel 255, which may allow thesecurity sensor 205 to be armed, disarmed, and monitored. For instance,a user may operate alarm panel 255 to arm security sensor 205, such thatif door 155 is opened while the security sensor 205 is armed, an alarmwill be triggered. In at least one arrangement, the alarm panel 255 maybe implemented in and/or as part of gateway 170. Thus, in one example,gateway 170 may be communicatively coupled to security sensor 205, whichmay allow gateway 170 to arm, disarm, and/or monitor security sensor205.

In one or more arrangements, the security sensor 205 and the alarm panel255 also may be communicatively coupled to an external networkinterface, such as a modem and/or gateway 170 and/or to a user interfacedevice, such as television 165. The modem/gateway 170 may includecircuitry/software for communicating on an external network 104. Forexample, network 104 may include a fiber, coaxial cable, hybridfiber/coaxial, cellular, satellite, or any other desired communicationmedium, and the modem/gateway 170 may include any necessary device forcommunication on the medium, such as a modem, coaxial cable modem,optical termination interface, satellite receiver, etc. forcommunicating on that medium.

The security sensor 205 and the alarm panel 255 may communicate with themodem/gateway 170 and the television 165, and a service provider may beable to provide advanced security system configuration and monitoringservices to the user residing in or otherwise desiring to protect userresidence 150. For example, the user may be able to arm the securitysensor 205 using the television 165 (e.g., via one or more userinterfaces displayed on the television 165 and/or the modem/gateway170). In another example, a service provider may be able to monitor thesecurity sensor 205 via the network 104, which is further describedbelow with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example security system 200 that may be used insecuring a premise and/or one or more properties according to one ormore aspects described herein. Security system 200 may include an alarmpanel 255, a gateway device 170, and one or more security sensors 205placed around the house and on various objects to be secured. Theseexample components are described in greater detail below.

According to one or more aspects, one or more security sensors 205 maybe attached to various objects that are to be secured, such as windows,doors, furniture (e.g., a chair, a table, an armoire), electronicequipment (e.g., a television, a stereo, a video game console, acomputer, a telephone), a fixture (e.g., a safe, a chandelier, apainting, a grill, etc.), an automobile, automobile accessories (e.g., acar stereo, a GPS navigation device, a portable telephone), etc.

The security sensor 205 may be simple or complex. For example, a complexsecurity sensor 205 may include one or more processors 225 configured toexecute software instructions stored on a memory 230 (e.g., anycomputer-readable medium, such as flash memory or a hard drive) toperform various functions described herein. The sensor 205 may alsoinclude one or more accelerometers 210, which may be configured todetect acceleration and/or movement along one or more axes.

The sensor 205 may also include one or more magnetometers 220, which maybe configured to detect magnetic fields for directional orientation(e.g., north, south) and/or proximity between two items (e.g., aninduction coil on a window frame whose magnetic field is disturbed bythe proximity of a second component on the window itself). Of course,some of the detection described herein may be performed by the processor225, based on readings taken from the accelerometer and/or magnetometer.Other types of sensing devices may be included as well, such as contactswitches, infrared motion detectors, microphone sound detectors,cameras, thermal sensors, etc.

The sensor 205 may include one or more user interfaces 235. The userinterfaces 235 may be, for example, any desired type of device to allowinteraction with a user, such as buttons, lights, LED displays, audiospeakers, etc.

The sensor 205 may also include a local area network interface 215. Thelocal area network interface 215 may implement any desired type ofcommunication medium for communicating signals between all components inthe premise. For example, the interface 215 may be a wireless IEEE802.11 interface, allowing the sensor 205 to wirelessly communicate withthe alarm panel 255, gateway device 170, and/or other devices. Otherwireless interfaces could be used as well, such as 802.15.4, ZigBee,Z-Wave, Bluetooth, etc. The interface 215 can also use a wired medium,such as a MoCA (Multimedia Over Coax Alliance) interface connected tothe in-home coaxial cable network, or to an Ethernet network.

Security sensor 205 also may include other components, such as a batteryor other power supply, an indicator light, and an antenna, as well asadditional accelerometers, magnetometers, transceivers, processors,memory, and input/output interfaces.

Accelerometer 210 and magnetometer 220 may allow security sensor 205 tomeasure movement and determine changes in the position, location and/ororientation of security sensor 205, which may enable the security sensor205 to be used as a motion sensor and as a trigger of alerts and/orsecurity events, as further described below. For instance, accelerometer210 may provide acceleration data to processor 225, and processor 225may use such acceleration data in combination with time data provided byan internal clock (not illustrated) to compute the distance traveled bythe security sensor 205. While distance traveled may be calculated, forexample, by computing the double integral of an acceleration functionover a relevant time domain (and accounting for initial velocity anddistance), this distance calculation may be simplified by approximatingthe distance traveled as the sum of distance values computed for smalltime intervals where, during the relevant time interval, acceleration isassumed to be constant (e.g., during a time interval, acceleration maybe assumed to be the initial acceleration of the time interval or theaverage acceleration over the time interval). Furthermore, ifaccelerometer 210 measures acceleration in two axes, or if securitysensor 205 is equipped with multiple one-axis accelerometers, processor225 may be able to calculate position vectors (e.g., distances inmultiple axes, with distance in each axis being expressed as a vectorcomponent) and may be able to calculate the direction of motion based onsuch vectors (e.g., by using trigonometric functions to compute anglesbetween the vector components included in a vector).

Additionally or alternatively, magnetometer 220 may provide orientationdata to processor 225, and processor 225 may use such orientation datato determine changes in the direction of the security sensor 205.Orientation data may represent the direction in which the securitysensor 205 is pointed or moving, which may be expressed as an anglerelative to the Earth's North magnetic pole. Like acceleration data,orientation data may enable the security sensor 205 to be used as amotion sensor and as a trigger of alerts and/or security events, asfurther described below. Alternatively, accelerometer 210 andmagnetometer 220 may transmit data to processor 275, or any otherexternal processing device, for processing.

The various motion, position, location, movement, etc. detected by thesensor 205 may be reported via the LAN interface 215 to the alarm panel255. The alarm panel 255 may operate within security system 200 tomonitor one or more security sensors 205 included in security system200, such as security sensor 205, and may provide additionalfunctionalities, such as allowing a user to arm security system 200and/or security sensor 205. For instance, alarm panel 255 may beattached to a wall near an entrance to a secured area, and a user mayinteract with alarm panel 255 to arm security system 200 and/or securitysensor 205. In addition, alarm panel 255 may include a plurality ofcomponents, as further described below, that may enable alarm panel 255to communicate with other devices included in security system 200 andthereby provide arming, monitoring, and other functionalities.

To provide this functionality, the alarm panel 255 may also include aprocessor 275, operating to execute software instructions stored in acomputer-readable memory 280 (e.g., flash, hard drive, etc.). The alarmpanel may include various user interface elements, such as a display 260and a keypad 270 for input.

In one or more arrangements, alarm panel 255 may be implemented ashardware and/or software components in another device, such asmodem/gateway 170 of FIG. 1 or gateway 106 a of FIG. 3, which is furtherdescribed below. Or, some or all of the alarm panel functionality can beduplicated in the gateway device 170, and the gateway may includesimilar components as those found in the alarm panel. For example,gateway 170 may include a processor 281, configured to executeinstructions stored on a computer-readable memory 282. It may alsoinclude one or more user interfaces 283 (e.g., buttons, keypads,infrared remote control, etc.), and a local area network interface 284to allow communications with the sensors 205 and/or alarm panel 255 (andwith other devices in the home).

The gateway 170 may also include other communication devices as well.For example, it may include a device for communicating with an externalnetwork, such as a modem 285, which may be connected to, and communicatewith, an external network 104. It may also include video processingcircuitry 286, which can decode and/or decrypt incoming video signals,and generate an output signal that can be supplied to a display device,such as television 165. In some embodiments, the gateways describedherein (e.g., gateway 170, 106 a, etc.) may include functionality oftraditional television set-top boxes (STBs) and/or digital videorecorders (DVRs).

The gateway 170 may generate one or more user interface screens, fordisplay on the television 165, that allow a user to arm and disarmsecurity system 200, configure attributes of a security sensor 205,manage sensor profiles, transmit test alerts, and monitor one or moresecurity sensors 205 included in security system 200, as furtherdescribed below.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example network environment to which a securitysystem, such as security system 200 of FIG. 2, may be communicativelyconnected according to one or more aspects described herein. Forexample, the network environment may include a server or processingfacility 102. The server or processing facility 102 may include aplurality of devices, such as servers 110 a-110 n, as well as otherdevices, including other data servers, computers, processors, securityencryption and decryption apparatuses or systems, and the like. In oneor more configurations, one or more devices in the server or processingfacility 102 may comprise a termination system 103, such as a ModemTermination System (MTS) and/or a Cable Modem Termination Server (CMTS)if the network is an HFC-type network. The termination system 103 mayfacilitate communication between the server or processing facility 102and one or more gateways 106 a-106 n, which also may be included in thenetwork environment, and which are further described below.

According to one or more aspects, the server or processing facility 102may be connected to one or more wide area networks 112, such as theInternet, via a network gateway server 105. Via wide area network 112,the server or processing facility 102 may be able to access otherdevices connected to the network 112, such as website server 114 a andwebsite server 114 b, or one or more content provider servers, such ascontent provider server 116 a and content provider server 116 b.

According to one or more additional aspects, the network environmentfurther may include a distribution network, such as the distributionnetwork 104 of FIG. 1. Distribution network 104 may includecommunication links such as one or more coaxial cable, optical fiber,hybrid fiber/coaxial cable, cellular, satellite, WiMax, and/or otherwired or wireless connections, which may facilitate communicationbetween the server or processing facility 102 and the one or moregateways 106 a-106 n. For example, the network 104 may include a seriesof coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and splitters leading from aprocessing facility or headend to various homes in a neighborhood,resulting in a hybrid fiber/coaxial (HFC) distribution network.

The network environment further may include one or more gateways 106a-106 n and one or more corresponding consumption devices 108 a-108 n.Gateways 106 a-106 n each may include an interface device that isconfigured to receive and transmit content from/to the server orprocessing facility 102, and processing circuitry to convert the contentinto a format for consumption by a user of the consumption devices. Thecontent may include any desired data, such as video content, Internetdata, and/or television programming. In one or more configurations,gateways 106 a-106 n may include one or more modems (e.g., cablemodems), optical interface devices, set-top boxes (STBs), and/or digitalvideo recorders (DVRs). Thus, the network environment may be used as amedia service provider/subscriber system in which a provider and/orvendor generally operates the server or processing facility 102 and/orthe distribution network 104, and which the provider and/or vendorgenerally also provides a user (e.g., a subscriber, client, customer,service purchaser, etc.) with one or more gateways 106 a-106 n.

One or more gateways 106 a-106 n may be placed at a user location suchas a user's home, a tavern, a hotel room, a business, etc., and one ormore consumption devices 108 a-108 n may be provided by the user. Theconsumption device 108 a may include a television, high definitiontelevision (HDTV), monitor, host viewing device, MP3 player, audioreceiver, radio, communication device, personal computer, media player,digital video recorder, game playing device, smart phone, or the like.Additionally or alternatively, the consumption device 108 a may beimplemented as a transceiver having interactive capability in connectionwith gateway 106 a and/or the server or processing facility 102.

According to one or more aspects, the gateway 106 may provide a userwith access to a wide area network 112, and the various other devices onthe network 112, such as website server 114 a, website server 114 b,content provider server 116 a, and/or content provider server 116 b. Thegateways may also support on-premises communication among devices at theuser's location, such as a home's routers 120, televisions 108,computers 118, etc. Additionally or alternatively, content received atgateway 106 a may be supplemented and/or customized by data obtained viawide area network 112. In one or more configurations, a router 120 maybe configured to route data from a gateway, such as gateway 106 a, to acomputing device, such as computing device 118 a. In one or moreadditional configurations, gateway 106 a may perform such routing, andcomputing device 118 a and/or computing device 118 b may be connecteddirectly to gateway 106 a.

Having a gateway, such as gateway 106 a or gateway 170, provide homesecurity features offers several benefits and possibilities. Forexample, if the gateway 170 is aware of the user's television viewinghabits, the gateway 170 can intelligently use that information tocontrol the operation of the home security system. For example, FIG. 4illustrates an example method in which a gateway 170 can sense that auser is settling in for the night, and can automatically prompt theviewer to determine whether the alarm system should be activated for thenight.

In step 401, the system may first establish security parameters. Thismay involve, for example, determining the times of day (or night) thatthe home security system is to be activated, and determining securitylevels for those time periods. For example, overnight hours may involvesetting the security system at its highest alert level, in which casesensors may be less tolerant of movement, more sensors may be active,and/or alert actions may be more dramatic (e.g., alerting police morerapidly, or sounding an audible alarm more quickly), while early eveninghours may be more tolerant of movement, and some sensors may bedeactivated, because people are more apt to be moving about the houseduring those hours. The following table may be an example of suchparameters:

Bedroom Alert Time Period Front Door Window Level 11pm-6am   On On High6am-9am Off On Med 9am-6pm On On High  6pm-11pm Off On Med

With the parameters in place, the process may proceed to step 402, andthe gateway may detect, e.g., by continuously monitoring, a userchoosing to watch a television program, movie, or other content on anydisplay device. If the user has not begun to watch content, the processmay remain at step 402 by continuously or intermittently monitoring. Ifthe user has begun, the process may proceed to step 403, and determineif the chosen program is scheduled to end in a time period havingdifferent security parameters, e.g., a different alarm state. Forexample, with reference to the example table above, if the user sitsdown at 9 pm to watch a 3-hour movie, the gateway can determine that thesecurity system will need to be in a “High” state of alert (atmidnight), which is different from the current state of alert (9 pmwould be “Medium”). The gateway can make this determination, forexample, by consulting an internal clock, and an electronic programguide (EPG) database of video programs.

If such an alert state change (or change to another security parameter)would be needed or would be scheduled, then the gateway may proceed tostep 404, and prompt the user to determine if the security system shouldproceed to the higher alert state at the current time. The prompt may bedisplayed, for example, as a pop-up message on the display screen afterthe program is selected. FIG. 5 illustrates an example pop-up that canappear here.

If the user wishes to change the security parameter (e.g., if the userknows that he/she intends to settle in for the night to watch themovie), then the user can respond to the prompt (e.g., by pressing an“ok” key on a handheld remote) in step 405, and the gateway can changethe security setting in step 406. The process then returns to step 402and continues to monitor for changes in what the user is viewing. Adelay may be built into the process at steps 402, 403, and/or 404 toaccount for the user simply flipping through channels.

Of course, if the program's end time does not require a different alertstate, or if the user responds negatively in step 405, the gateway canreturn to step 402, and resume monitoring for the selection of adifferent program by the user.

The above example addresses changes in security settings, but othertime-related settings can be changed as well. FIG. 6 illustrates anexample prompt that can appear if, for example, the user normally turnsoff or dims certain household lights when he/she turns in for theevening.

While the above examples describe prompting a user based on time-relatedparameters, such as the current time, the length and/or start and stoptimes of a particular program, and/or other security parameters, thesecurity system described herein also may prompt the user based on otherfactors. For instance, the security system may prompt the user based onthe current volume level (e.g., if the current volume level is too loudto hear an intruder breaking into the house, the security system mayprompt the user to lower the volume) and/or the content ratingassociated with a program being watched (e.g., if the content ratingsuggests that the program is scary and that the user might feel betterwatching the program after securing their house, the security system mayprompt the user to arm the system). Thus, in one example, the securitysystem may decide to prompt the user based on a comparison of thecurrent volume level and a predetermined threshold volume level (e.g., avolume level predetermined by the user or the service provider to be anoptimal balance between listening to the program and listening to theuser's surroundings). In another example, the security system may decideto prompt the user based on a comparison of the content rating level anda predetermined threshold rating level (e.g., a content ratingpredetermined by the user or the service provider to be associated withfear-invoking content).

In one or more additional arrangements, the security system may armitself automatically based on the user's video content viewing habits.For instance, with reference to the example table above, if the usersits down at 9 pm to watch a three-hour movie, the gateway may againdetermine that the security system will be in a higher state of alertwhen the movie ends than when it begins. Thus, in this alternativeinstance, the gateway may automatically arm the security system based onthis determination. When the gateway arms the security systemautomatically in this example, the gateway also might display anotification message on the user's display device to inform the userthat the security system has been automatically armed. Additionally oralternatively, the security system may arm itself automatically in anyand/or all of the example situations described elsewhere herein in whichthe security system may prompt the user (e.g., based on time-relatedparameters, based on the current volume level, based on content ratinglevel, etc.).

The discussion above gives one example of what can be accomplished withthe system described herein. As another example, the system herein mayallow for easy expansion by the user, and may give the user greaterflexibility in the types of alarms that he/she wishes to have active.For example, a user may have an existing security system 200 at home,and may decide to purchase an additional sensor 205. The sensor 205 canbe mountable by the user on anything—a car, a garage door, a newbarbecue grill, a screen door, etc., and the user can configure thesystem to customize the alert response for the new sensor.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example process that the system may undertake whena new sensor is added to the home. Once the new security sensor isintroduced into the home and powered on, the security system may detectthe presence of the security sensor in step 701, thus enablingconfiguration and monitoring of the security sensor, as well as otherfunctionalities, as further described herein. Such detection of thepresence of the security sensor may occur automatically. For instance,the alarm panel 255 and/or gateway 170 may use a wireless local areanetwork for communicating with its sensors, and the newly-introducedsecurity sensor may enter or may be placed in a “pairing” mode when itis installed. While it is in pairing mode, the security sensor maytransmit a distributed signal (e.g., a broadcast radio signal)indicating that the security sensor is new and/or online. The gatewayand/or alarm panel may detect this broadcast signal, thereby learning ofthe new sensor. Alternatively, the gateway and/or alarm panel may simplybe told by the user that a new sensor has been installed (e.g., by amenu option, or pressing a predefined “add sensor” button).

If no new sensor is detected, the gateway and/or alarm panel may proceedto step 702, to monitor its existing sensors, and periodically it mayreturn to step 701 to check again for a new sensor. The monitoring instep 702 may include monitoring existing sensors and searching for newsensors. However, if a new sensor is detected, the process may proceedto step 703, and begin to configure the new sensor with a securityprofile, for example, defining what this sensor will sense and what thesystem should do with what is sensed.

The gateway and/or alarm panel may first determine whether apre-existing profile already exists for the new sensor. For example, newsensors may be packaged and marketed to users for specific purposes. Onesensor may specifically be a sensor for barbecue grills, and themanufacturer of the sensor may offer a data file (stored in the sensoror available for downloading) containing a table of parameters for usingthe sensor to secure a barbecue grill. The parameters may indicate, forexample, that horizontal motion is acceptable but vertical motion is not(e.g., pushing the grill around a deck is normal grill behavior, butpicking it up may be more indicative of someone trying to steal it), andfurther that the default alert response for someone stealing the grillis to turn on the household's external lights and to send an email tothe user (but perhaps not bother with calling the police). Thepredetermined profiles may be a software download made available topurchasers of the sensor, or the software could be distributed oncomputer-readable media (e.g., a CD, built-in or external flash drive,etc.) with the sensor. Alternatively, the gateway and/or alarm panel mayautomatically store a database containing many different predefinedsecurity profiles (e.g., the gateway's security system software mayinclude default profiles for common items, like doors, windows, cars,motion devices, etc.). As part of this, the gateway can display to theuser a list of available profiles, and ask the user to choose one thatfits the device being secured by the new sensor. FIGS. 8 and 9illustrate example screens that can be displayed on the user's displayscreen (e.g., television) when a new sensor is detected.

The determination of whether a predefined profile exists may be made ina variety of ways. For example, if the new sensor automaticallybroadcasts its presence, it can also indicate in the broadcast that ithas a predefined profile in its own memory, or that one is available fordownload. Alternatively, it could simply identify itself with anidentifier (e.g., identifying a class of device, manufacturer, modelnumber, serial number, etc.), and the gateway could search its ownmemory to determine if it already has a predefined profile for the newsensor. The gateway could also transmit a request out onto the Internetor another network (or a server associated with the maker of the sensoror the item being secured) asking if a predefined profile exists and, ifit does, requesting a download of it.

If a predefined profile exists, then the process may proceed to step704, and the predefined profile may be loaded for use by thegateway/alarm panel. This loading may be done in any desired manner(e.g., copying from a memory of the sensor, copying from a memoryincluded with the sensor, copying from a pre-existing database in thegateway, downloading from an external server to the gateway, etc.). Oncethe profile is loaded, the process may proceed to step 702, and thesystem may begin security monitoring with the new sensor and parametersactive.

If, in step 703, no predefined profile exists, then the process mayproceed to step 705, and the user can begin a training process to trainthe security system in using the new sensor. This can be initiated, forexample, by the gateway or alarm panel displaying (e.g., on alarm paneldisplay 260, or on television 165) a message requesting that the userstart the training for the new sensor. FIG. 10 illustrates an examplescreen that can be displayed on the television and/or alarm panel forthis purpose.

In step 705, the user may train the system in the permitted range ofmotion for the new sensor. Using the barbecue grill example, once theuser has installed the sensor to the grill, the sensor can beginreporting what it senses (e.g., acceleration, position, motion, etc.)via the local area network. The gateway and/or alarm panel may receivethis information, and during the training, the user may inform thegateway/alarm panel of the acceptable range of motion. For the barbecuegrill, the user may first instruct the gateway that the acceptable rangeof motion is beginning or is at a starting point (e.g., by pressing akey on the alarm panel or television remote control), and then the usercan move the grill through the acceptable range. The acceptable rangemay be, for example, an area of the user's back patio or deck where theuser expects to be using and storing the grill. While the user moves thegrill around this acceptable area, the sensor can detect itsposition/motion/acceleration, and report this to the gateway/alarmpanel, and the gateway/alarm panel may store information in memoryidentifying the area of the patio as being acceptable.

Other ranges of motion can be entered as well. For example, some windowsinclude stoppers that allow them to be opened slightly to let fresh airin, but prevent them from opening more than a few inches. If the userwants to allow the window to open a certain amount, the user can definethat as an acceptable range of motion (e.g., in the training mode, theuser can open the window slightly). Similarly, if a door includes a boltand chain allowing the door to be slightly opened, the user can definethat slight opening as an acceptable range of motion. As anotherexample, slight motion in irrelevant axes can be ignored. For example, awindow normally moves vertically, but can slightly move horizontally inresponse to wind. The acceptable range of motion for the window canallow slight horizontal movement, and the system can be configured toonly react to vertical movement. Another type of motion may bevibration. For example, many automobile theft alarms detect vibration ofthe car. In the learning state, the user could inform the gateway/alarmpanel that a predefined amount of vibration is acceptable (e.g.,vibration generated by a person bumping the car while walking past it totake out the trash). FIG. 11 illustrates an example screen that can bedisplayed on the user's television or alarm panel display during thisprocess.

When the user has finished defining the acceptable range(s) of motion,the process may proceed to step 706, and the user can define anyadditional desired sensing parameters. For example, if the user wantsdifferent behavior for different times of day, then the user can definetime ranges as additional sense parameters. Any other desired parametercan be combined as well (e.g., state of television viewing, number ofcars in the garage, season of the year, outside temperature, etc.).

When the sense parameters have been set, the process may move to step707, and the user can define the system's alarm reactions for thevarious parameters. In one or more arrangements, the security system mayalert a remote monitoring entity in response to determining that asensor has exceeded a permitted range of motion. For example, somecombinations of sensed events (e.g., opening of a bedroom window at 2 amon a Winter's night) might immediately result in an alert signal beingsent from the gateway to a remote monitoring entity, such as an externalmonitoring server and/or the local authorities, while slightly opening awindow on a hot Summer afternoon might result in a less drasticresponse, such as an initial warning sound, before any authorities orexternal monitoring service are informed. Such “High” and “Low” alertreaction levels may be customized by the user in any desiredcombination, and can be done so from the user's own couch in front ofthe television.

When the alarm reactions have been defined, the process may then storethe parameters (sense parameters, permitted range of motion, alertreactions, etc.) in a profile on a memory 282, 230, or 280. The profilecan become a predetermined profile for future new sensors, and can belabeled by device type for convenience (e.g., a barbecue grill sensorfor the patio might result in a profile that can equally be used forother patio items, such as furniture, tables, umbrellas, etc.). Thegateway may then proceed to step 702, and resume monitoring the sensors(before periodically returning to step 701 to determine if a new sensorhas been detected.

The example above describes allowing a user to define acceptable rangesof motion for new security sensors, and there are many advantageousimplementations of this concept. For instance, with reference to FIG.12, wall-mounted television 1200 may be mounted to a wall via a mountingbracket that allows the television to be moved in and out from the wall,moved laterally along the wall, and tilted through a range of viewingangles. This motion may result in a slight horizontal motion and aslight vertical motion, and the user may wish to allow this slight rangeof motion, while larger motions may be more indicative of theft. Theuser may configure security sensor 1201 by placing security sensor 1201in learning mode and moving the television through a series ofacceptable movements (e.g., by moving the television in and out from thewall, by moving the television laterally along the wall, and by tiltingthe television through a range of viewing angles). Once security sensor1201 is switched out of learning mode and into a default monitoringstate, the gateway might not trigger a security event if security sensor1201 detects only acceptable movements. On the other hand, if securitysensor 1201 detects motion not included in the acceptable movements,gateway may trigger a security event.

Thus, in another example, a security sensor may be placed in anautomobile, and a second security sensor may be attached to a portableGPS navigation device that the user keeps in the automobile. Using thesecurity system described herein, the user may be able to define anacceptable range of motion for the automobile (e.g., after 9 p.m., theautomobile should not travel beyond the driveway and the garage withouttriggering an alert) and the portable GPS navigation device (e.g., after9 p.m., the portable GPS navigation device also should not travel beyondthe driveway and the garage without triggering an alert).

In at least one arrangement, an acceptable range of motion for a firstsecurity sensor may be defined in relation to a second security sensor.Thus, in the example above, the user may be able to define an acceptablerange of motion for the portable GPS navigation device bothindependently of the automobile's security sensor (e.g., after 9 p.m.,the portable GPS navigation device should not travel beyond the drivewayand the garage without triggering an alert), as well as in relation tothe automobile's security sensor (e.g., while the car is parked in thedriveway, the portable GPS navigation device should not travel more than10 feet away from the car). This arrangement may prevent a would-bethief from breaking into the car and running off with the portable GPSnavigation device.

The features described above are examples of various concepts, and theymay be modified in any desired manner. For example, various elements andsteps may be divided, combined, rearranged, omitted, and augmented asdesired. The various elements may be implemented using computercomponents, such as processors and computer-readable memories, and anyof the elements described herein may be implemented using software,hardware (e.g., similar to that shown in FIG. 2), or any combination ofthe two. The scope of this patent should only be limited by the claimsthat follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: causing output ofinformation.